Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

She gently placed her hands on the table and asked softly, "Did you run into any trouble outside today? Did what Xu Damao said really make you feel uneasy?"

Li Xiangqian took a sip of the soup, feeling the warm liquid sliding down his throat. The slight heat made him relax a little. He did not answer immediately, but instead looked at the bowl of soup that was gradually becoming clear. The fish in the soup had become soft and tasty, and some tiny chopped green onions floated on the surface of the soup. This simple bowl of soup alone could bring him a long-lost tranquility.

"Lin," Li Xiangqian suddenly whispered, his eyes solemn, "What Xu Damao said about this land really made me feel uneasy. I went to see him today, and he told me that this land is not as simple as we imagined. Many people tried to take root here, but in the end they failed. Some died, and some disappeared. He even said that this land might hide some kind of power, or some kind of curse."

Zhang Lin's expression changed slightly. She looked down at the bowl of soup, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the bowl, as if thinking about Li Xiangqian's words. She knew many secrets of this land, but even so, she could not ignore Xu Damao's words. Li Xiangqian had already heard those words, and his heart was obviously beginning to waver. She knew that he had always been a rational and down-to-earth person, and would not easily believe some unfounded panic. But when Xu Damao said those words so seriously, even she herself began to doubt.

"Do you... believe it?" Zhang Lin asked in a low voice, with a hint of worry in her eyes. She didn't want Li Xiangqian to be completely shaken by these uneasy words, but she knew that Li Xiangqian was not the kind of person who could be easily persuaded. If he really felt uneasy, then this uneasy feeling would be like a seed, gradually taking root and sprouting in his heart.

Li Xiangqian was silent for a moment, lowered his head and took a sip of soup, then slowly said: "I... am not sure. What Xu Damao said makes me uneasy, but I also have an indescribable feeling in my heart, as if there is indeed something behind this land that we cannot understand. Lin, I have known many rumors about this land since I was a child, but I never took it to heart. It was not until today that I began to realize that perhaps these rumors are not groundless."

Zhang Lin looked at him, with a complex emotion in her eyes. She knew that Li Xiangqian was never a person who easily believed in superstition, but his tone now made her feel a long-lost uneasiness. She tightly grasped the bowl in her hand, as if this was the only way to prevent herself from being swallowed by the fear that was quietly rising.

"If there are really so many missing people, why don't we investigate? We can't just sit there and wait for death, or just ignore it." Zhang Lin said, his voice firm but gentle, "You know in your heart what this land means to us. If you decide to find out, I will go with you. Whether it's for survival or to find out the truth of the matter."

Li Xiangqian looked up at her, his eyes gradually softening. Her support has always been his driving force to move forward, and it also allowed him to find a solid backing when he was confused. Although he was still full of doubts and uneasiness, Zhang Lin's company made him know that no matter what happened next, they would face it together.

"Thank you, Lin." He said softly, and some of the heaviness in his heart seemed to be slowly dissipated by her words.

Zhang Lin smiled, with a hint of warmth and determination in her eyes. "Let's move forward together." She said softly, and then glanced at the fish soup in her hand. As if she had thought of something, a small smile appeared on her face. "But first, drink some soup, eat something, and relax. We can put today's matter aside for the time being."

Li Xiangqian nodded and lowered his head to continue drinking the fish soup in the bowl. The warmth and fragrance of the soup seemed to gradually soothe the anxiety and fear in his heart, allowing him to find some peace at this moment. Even though the road ahead was still full of unknowns, he knew that at least he was not alone.

"By the way, Lin." Li Xiangqian raised his head and looked at his wife, "Have you heard about this land? Or, has anyone told you something unknown?"

Zhang Lin was slightly stunned and shook his head gently. "I also heard some stories when I was a child, but they were just rumors from the older generation. I have never experienced any strange things on this land. But you have been feeling uneasy lately. Are you too tired?"

Li Xiangqian was stunned, as if he realized that he was a little too nervous and anxious. His wife's answer was simple and direct, but it reminded him inadvertently that perhaps he was indeed too caught up in that invisible fear. He smiled slightly and nodded, "Maybe I'm overthinking it. It's just that this piece of land is really hard to ignore."

Zhang Lin sighed softly, "No matter what, let's get some rest tonight and think it over tomorrow. We must calm down before making a decision."

Li Xiangqian finished the last mouthful of soup and looked out the window. Dusk had gradually covered the sky. A kitten was lying on the windowsill, staring at him curiously with its bright eyes. It was a gray kitten, just a few months old. Its soft fur swayed gently in the evening breeze, and it seemed to be enjoying the tranquility.

It called softly, raised its head slightly, and seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere in the room, squinting its eyes and slowly walked towards Li Xiangqian, with light and slow steps. Li Xiangqian lowered his head, stretched out his hand, and gently touched its soft hair. Suddenly, the tension and irritability in his heart seemed to ease as the kitten approached.

"Little guy." Li Xiangqian smiled softly, with a barely perceptible smile on his lips. He slowly put his fingers around the kitten's ears, feeling the delicate warmth.

The kitten seemed to like Li Xiangqian's touch very much. It meowed softly, closed its eyes, and showed a satisfied expression. It rubbed Li Xiangqian's hand, as if to show goodwill and to comfort him.

Zhang Lin watched this scene from the side and smiled slightly. She knew that Li Xiangqian had always been a person who loved animals. Especially this kitten. Since it came into the house, Li Xiangqian seemed to have become much more gentle. He had never been impatient with it, and even when he was most tired, he would spend some time with it.

"You are such a good father." Zhang Lin said mischievously, with a relaxed smile in his eyes.